Two arrested and charged on foreign incursion offences

Members of the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team arrested two males, one of them a 17-year-old youth, as part of ongoing inquiries into the activities of people attempting to travel to, or returning from, conflict zones in Syria and Iraq.

The 17-year-old youth was arrested at Merrylands Police Station this morning and was charged with one count of prepare to engage in commission of offence against section 119.1, contrary to section 119.4(1) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth); and one count of give/receive goods/services to promote section 119.1 offence, contrary to section 119.4(5) of the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Cth). The maximum penalty for these offences are life imprisonment.

The maximum penalty for these offences are life imprisonment.

It will be alleged in court that this youth made preparations and attempted to travel to the conflict region, but was not successful in doing so. It will also be alleged that he played an active role in encouraging another person to attempt travel to the region.

A 24-year-old Merrylands man was arrested later at Birrong. He was charged with one count of incursions into foreign states with the intention of engaging in hostile activities, contrary to section 6(1)(a) of the Crimes (Foreign Incursions and Recruitment) Act 1978. The maximum penalty for this offence is 20 years imprisonment.

It will be alleged in court that this man travelled to Syria in July 2013 to join the group then-known as Jabhat al-Nusra, before returning to Australia in February 2014.

Search warrants have also been conducted in the Sydney suburbs of Merrylands, Bass Hill, Horningsea Park and Miller as part of ongoing NSW JCTT inquiries.

A spokesman for the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team – comprising the NSW Police Force, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, and the NSW Crime Commission – said they would like to reassure the community there was no current or impending threat to the community as part of today’s activities.

AFP Assistant Commissioner Counter Terrorism Neil Gaughan said investigations into returning foreign fighters were of importance to the NSW JCTT.

“Police are aware of the threat that people who have travelled to Syria and Iraq can pose to the community – especially if they have been exposed to an extremist ideology and acquired knowledge and skills that could be used to facilitate activity here in Australia,” Assistant Commissioner Gaughan said.

“The challenge for our members is to gather evidence to an appropriate standard to enable a prosecution, but we will work cooperatively and diligently to act in response to these potential threats and ensure the safety of the community.”

Friends

Categories

Categories

About CONTACT

Contact Publishing Pty Ltd is an independent veteran owned and operated Australian publishing business that curates this daily blog, a fortnightly newsletter and a quarterly magazine – only available by subscribing free (above).